It’s all an axe – as Vikings invade Upper Arley

Good weather brought the crowds to the Arley Arboretum and Gardens, in Upper Arley, over the weekend to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the re-enactment performances by the Raudr Vagr Vikings group from Telford.

The actors set up camp on the front lawn of the arboretum near Bewdley as part of their presentation to recreate the life and times of the Vikings. There were also craft demonstrations and displays at the site on Saturday and Sunday. The camp included period tents where the demonstrations were held and the Raudr Vagr members also shared their knowledge of the period with visitors.

Arley Arboretum and Gardens manager Jenny Harris says: "It's been a brilliant day and of course the sun has come out and brought the people out with it which is marvellous. It has gone really well and we've have a lot of positive feedback from people.

The Viking group also came last year and people were saying that it's a really good idea. It gives the children a chance to learn about the Viking age and how hard life was for children then, and the chores they had to do. it opens their eyes to see how lucky they are today.

"Children who came got to dress up in the costumes and get stuck into some of the activities."

Other activities at the arboretum which overlooks the Severn Valley Railway track include beginners art and photography courses that are being held soon. The painting and drawing sessions are six hours long with breaks will be held on July 15, September 2 and October 14. While the photography workshop day will be on September 16.

The attraction is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm and is between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth on the A442, just over a mile from the hamlet of Shatterford, and is brown signed from the main road.

It is also accessible from the Bewdley to Highley Road (B4194) via the footbridge over the River Severn at Arley, near Alveley.

More details are available on www.arley-arboretum.org.uk